Mumbai police arrest two accused for raping minors in separate incidents

Sandeep Bhul

In separate incidents, the Mumbai Police have apprehended two accused for raping minors. The first incident took place on July 27. According to the police, the accused, identified as Sandeep Bhul, 30, had called the survivor to Juhu beach on the pretext of celebrating his birthday. After spending some time on the beach, he allegedly took the girl to an empty rickshaw nearby and sexually assaulted her.

The Juhu Police registered a complaint against Bhul, who had been absconding. The Crime Branch Unit 9 launched man-hunt, and traced his whereabouts to Uttarakhand, from where he was arrested on Saturday.

Bhul confessed to the crime and told the police that he was trying to escape to Nepal, where both he and the survivor originally hail from. A case had been registered against him under relevant sections of the IPC and POCSO Act, the police said. Meanwhile, the Malabar Hill police arrested a sweeper for raping a 17-year-old. The accused, identified as Rohit Kharva, had been allegedly following the girl, before he accosted and raped her near Banganga Tank on August 4.

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A complaint was registered on Saturday, following which the police arrested Kharva from his residence. According to the police, Kharva works as a sweeper in a gym, while the girl works at a canteen. A case of rape has been registered against Kharva under Section 376 (rape) of the IPC and under various sections of the POSCO Act. Senior PI Udaysingh Shingade, Malabar Police said, "The accused has been produced in the court and he is currently in police custody."